January is basically history and the city is focusing on football and fun. Carnival activities are making their way onto the list, and a new year’s celebration takes an Asian flavor.
People explore food options and crafts at Tet Fest.
Celebrate the Year of the Snake this weekend at TET FEST: VIETNAMESE NEW YEAR Friday through Sunday at Mary Queen of Vietnam Catholic Church at 14001 Dwyer Road in New Orleans East. Three days of entertainment, performances by cultural organizations and cuisine like bánh mì, pho, spring rolls and more will be on hand starting at 6 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday. maryqueenvn.org
The Bywater Crazy Cat Ladies & Gents Marching Krewe joins Les Fous du Carnaval
Friday gets frisky when the FOUS DU CARNAVAL provide a tasty appetizer for the season to come. Strolling with the theme “Fous Watcha Wanna,” the parade is dedicated to the culture bearers of the Crescent City. The fun starts at Chartres and Frenchmen streets in the Marigny Triangle at 8 p.m. and meanders through the Marigny and the French Quarter to end at Jackson Square. Like many of the city’s marching processions, the “foolish” ensemble is composed of several subkrewes with names like Bywater Crazy Cat Ladies and Gents, Hellarious Wingnuts and Casket Girls. Get ready to fool around here.
The Brass-A-Holics perform on the Congo Square Stage during the first day of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)
Carnival capers get cracking on both sides of the Mississippi River this weekend, with the ALGIERS MARDI GRAS FESTIVAL weighing in for the West Bank Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This celebration of the season includes music and entertainment, plus food and more at Federal City, including a pre-fest parade at 9 a.m. starting at Lamarque Street and L.B. Landry Avenue and rolling to the festival. Entertainment includes Brass-A-Holics, Amanda Shaw, Edna Karr High School Choir, the Marine Reserve Jazz Band and more. Get ready for the good times on the “best bank” here.
Greg Griggs, costumes as a 7-foot, fluorescent pink wookiee in the Chewbacchus Mardi Gras parade
It’s time to “let the wookie win” when the INTERGALACTIC KREWE OF CHEWBACCHUS steps out in the Bywater Saturday at 7 p.m. The walking ensemble takes to the streets a week early due to the gridiron gala. “The Rise of the Superb Owl,” a play on the date-shifting game, will feature Emmy-nominated actor Mark Proksch of “What We Do in the Shadows” as The Grand Siphon and Master of the Mundane when the parade rolls from the Bywater through the Faubourg Marigny and into the French Quarter starting at 7 p.m. Rise to the occasion and get more information here.
Belle Reve gets into the Carnival spirit with a chance to have fun and benefit the LGBTQ-affirming non-profit affordable housing for folks 62 and older at the DIAMONDS & PEARLS FUNDRAISER at 6 p.m. Friday at the AllWays Lounge & Cabaret, 2240 St. Claude Ave. The gem of a night will feature a comedy club-style atmosphere of laughs, auctions, drag performances, comedy and more, with food and cocktails and plenty of laughs. ‘Tis the season for costumes, so don that Yacht Rock, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” or “Material Girl” look and head out. Tickets start at $65. It’s always good to check out more here.
Celebrate the bounty and cuisine of the coast and help raise awareness for coastal restoration Saturday at COOK-OFF FOR THE COAST starting at 11 a.m. at Docville Farm in St. Bernard Parish. Teams will prepare dishes featuring Neptune’s harvest, as well as wild game, and serve samples, while a panel of judges will select winners in categories. Music and cocktails are also part of the event, co-hosted by Restore the Mississippi River Delta, Vanishing Paradise and the Meraux Foundation. The farm is located at 5124 E. St. Bernard Highway in Violet. The samples at the free fest are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Check out what’s happening here.
New Orleans extends a helping hand to the folks in Los Angeles who are victims of the fires with LA FOR L.A. — NEW ORLEANS-STYLE BAKE SALE Saturday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., with 100% of the proceeds going to Regarding Her and Direct Belief. A host of local bakeries, marshaled by Beth Biundo, Megan Forman and Maggie Scales, will be participating at La Boulangerie, 4600 Magazine St. Helping through baked goods including cakes, cookies, pies, pastries and more are Ayu Bakehouse, Beth Biundo, Bittersweet Confections, Bywater Bakery, Dakar, Flour Moon Bagels, Gracious Bakery, La Boulangerie, Lagniappe Bakehouse, Lilette, Leo’s, Molly’s Rise & Shine, Nolita, Paladar 511, Stein’s Deli, Breads on Oak and NOCHI plus more.
The Old U.S. Mint building on Esplanade Avenue in the French Quarter is home to several ghosts, according to security guard Jimmie Johnson. “I focus myself on spiritualism,” says Johnson, “because spirits are attracted to me.”
Grab that kilt and head over to the New Orleans Jazz Museum in the Old U.S. Mint at 400 Esplanade Ave. on Saturday at 3 p.m. for a Celtic celebration of music and food. The ST. BRIGID’S DAY CÊILÍ is named in honor of the patron saint of Ireland (and New Orleans loves a good saint!) and honors the contributions of Irish women to the Crescent City. A traditional Irish or Scottish social confab, the gatherings usually include much dancing and celebration of Gaelic folk music. More than dozen local artists will be on hand, including Whilst, Crescent and Clover Celtic band and The Inglorious Grinders. Take turn on the floor here.
Liverpool Legends, selected by the late George Harrison’s sister Louise, perform an homage to the Beatles at Jefferson Performing Arts Center.
Had a “Hard Day’s Night?” Well, “Twist and Shout” over to the Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Drive, in Metairie on Saturday for LIVERPOOL LEGENDS. This fab four provides “The Complete Beatles Experience.” Handpicked by original Beatle George Harrison’s sister to honor her brother’s legacy, the quartet provides an evening of the music and magic that was the force behind the British invasion. The show is at 7:30 p.m. with tickets starting at $40. Hop in your yellow submarine and dive into the fun here.
The B’nai B’rith Mardi Gras Mitzva Makers stop for a group photo as they parade through Touro Infirmary in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The merry procession wound through the hospital and at the nearby Laurel Senior Living Center, bringing king cake, beads, music and a good time to staff and patients who might not otherwise be able to enjoy Mardi Gras in person. (Photo by Scott Threlkeld, The Times-Picayune)
MARDI GRAS MITZVA MAKERS PARADE is bringing the joy and magic of Carnival to patients in long-term care and rehabilitation: That’s the “good deed” for the B’nai B’rith procession that goes to Touro Hospital and the nearby Laurel Senior Living Center Sunday at 9:30 a.m. The parade is open to the public, with marchers encouraged to costume (hello, it’s the season), and bring throws. Musicians are welcome to bring their instruments. For information or to participate, contact Dr. Hilton Title at (504) 957-5310.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.nola.com ’
